SATURDAY 13 JANUARY 2018 21

I am proud of my players SPORT as they have played coach TODAY’S QNB Stars League Round 12 Felix Sanchez against two strong after they beat Oman 1-0 in ACTION 4.20pm: Al Rayyan vs Al Khor at Al Sadd Stadium teams so far and have their second AFC U-23 6.30pm: Al Sadd vs Al Markhiya at Al Sadd Stadium performed well. Asian Cup match yesterday 6.30pm: Qatar SC vs Al Duhail at Qatar SC Stadium

Roger Federer AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2018 of hits a return TOP MEN’S CONTENDERS during a training session ahead of the (SWITZERLAND) Australian Open in World ranking: 2 Melbourne. Born: Aug. 8, 1981 (Age 36) titles: 19 (Australian Open 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2017, 2009, Wimbledon 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2017 US Open 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008) Federer will start as the favourite to retain his Australian Open title and is coming off an extraordinary 2017 season, which also saw him lift a record eighth title at Wimbledon. The 36-year-old has made an impressive start to the campaign, winning all his four singles matches at the Hopman Cup and combining with to win Switzerland their first title since 2001. His bid for a 20th career grand slam title will be aided by the absences of and , as well as lingering injuries to other top players in the field such as Rafa Federer still the man to bbeat Nadal, and . RAFA NADAL () World ranking: 1 REUTERS Roger Federer will a knee problem after losing his Born: June 3, 1986 (Age 31) TOP WOMEN’S CONTENDERS saddle up for a 19th opening match. Grand slam titles: 16 (Australian Open 2009, French MELBOURNE: It might be argued time in the main draw He missed warmup events in Open 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, (ROMANIA) that 36-year-old fathers of four Abu Dhabi and Brisbane but 2014, 2017, Wimbledon 2008, 2010, US Open 2010, 2013, World ranking: 1 have no business winning grand at Melbourne Park, appeared untroubled in an exhi- 2017) Born: Sept. 27, 1991 (Age 26) slam titles but try telling that to looking to frustrate bition match win over Austrian The Spaniard enjoyed a stellar 2017, winning grand slams Grand slam titles: 0 Roger Federer as the evergreen ‘Generation Next’ once world number five at Roland Garros and Flushing Meadows and reclaiming the WTA match record in 2018 (won-lost): 5-0 Swiss bids to claim a record- again and defend the at Melbourne Park yesterday. world number one ranking. After rising to the top of the rankings at the end equalling sixth Australian Open If fit and firing, 2009 cham- He returns to Melbourne, where he lost a thrilling five- of last year, top seed Halep has continued her ruth- crown in two weeks’ time. title he won last year pion Nadal will be hard to beat but set final to Roger Federer last year, hoping to continue the less form to win the season-opening Shenzhen Open Federer will saddle up for a during a stunning needs to bring something new to progress he made in 2017 under coach Carlos Moya, after his trophy. The Romanian, who reached the quarter-finals 19th time in the main draw at Mel- comeback from knee the court if he ends up facing Fed- uncle and lifelong mentor Toni Nadal decided to step down at Melbourne Park in 2014 and 2015, now has the bourne Park, looking to frustrate surgery. erer, who won all four of their at the end of last season. chance to win her maiden grand slam title and assert ‘Generation Next’ once again and matches last year. Nadal’s preparations for the first grand slam of the year her dominance after first-round exits in the last two defend the title he won last year Year after year the bright have been far from ideal, having not featured in a competi- editions. during a stunning comeback from path through the draw is far from sparks and ‘Next Big Things’ have tive match since he withdrew from the World Tour Finals in knee surgery. straightforward. been denied by the ‘Big Four’ at November with a knee injury. (UKRAINE) No such queries hang over his Danger lurks at almost every the slams. World ranking: 4 fitness this year and if bookmakers corner, with former Wimbledon Even with Murray and Novak NOVAK DJOKOVIC () Born: Sept. 12, 1994 (Age 23) are to be believed the other 127 finalist and a resur- Djokovic out of the frame for World ranking: 14 Grand slam titles: 0 men in the draw will be fighting gent Juan Martin Del Potro, the much of 2017 due to injury, ‘Gen Born: May 22, 1987 (Age 30) WTA match record in 2018 (won-lost): 5-0 for the scraps from Federer’s plate. man who beat Federer for the Next’ once again failed to make Grand slam titles: 12 (Australian Open 2008, 2011, Svitolina won five singles titles last season and has On immediate form, few could 2009 US Open title, looming as inroads at the four tournaments 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, French Open 2016, Wimbledon 2011, started the current campaign in fine form by winning argue. threats before the that really count. 2014, 2015, US Open 2011, 2015) her 10th career title at the Brisbane International, drop- Federer, seeded second, quarter-finals. Most bookmakers see third After an extended spell on the sidelines with an elbow ping just one set in the process. The Ukrainian has not arrives for a first round match Yet few would be surprised if seed as the best injury, Djokovic returned with a convincing victory over Dominic fared well at grand slams and will be eager to get past against mid-ranked Slovenian the tournament ends in a repeat chance among them to make a Thiem at the Kooyong Classic exhibition event earlier this the third round at Melbourne Park for the first time. Aljaz Bedene after cruising of last year’s final with Federer up breakthrough in Melbourne, but week. through an undefeated run at the against his great Spanish rival and still rate the Bulgarian lower than The 12-times grand slam winner is hoping to get back (US) Hopman Cup. top seed Rafa Nadal. Djokovic, who brings a major to his best after a forgettable 2017, which included an early World ranking: 5 His major rivals, meanwhile, The pair split the four grand query over his serving elbow, is exit at the Australian Open and a quarter-final demise at Born: June 17, 1980 (Age 37) are either carrying injuries or slam trophies between them last seeded 14th and has barely swung Roland Garros before his season ended in the last eight at Grand slam titles: 7 (Wimbledon 2000, 2001, returning from them, or in the case year, with Nadal, at 31, finishing a racquet in six months. Wimbledon in July due to an injury. 2005, 2007, 2008, US Open 2000, 2001) of ‘Big Four’ cohort Andy Murray, the season as the ATP rankings’ While Melbourne Park Djokovic, who is currently tied with Roy Emerson as the Veteran Williams is among the top contenders ruled out because of them. oldest world number one. maestro Djokovic will bid for a most successful men’s singles champions at Melbourne, will to win her eighth grand slam and first Australian Open A magical 20th slam might Like Federer, Nadal has pared record seventh Australian Open launch his bid for an outright record seventh title against title following a successful campaign last year, where seem a formality for a player who back his playing schedule to pro- title, those fans hoping for a American in the first round. she finished runner-up at Melbourne Park, Wimbledon did it all in last year’s tournament long his career but the strain still shake-up of the establishment and the WTA Finals, in the absence of her sister Serena. with the shortest of run-ups, but showed when he pulled out of the may look to 20-year-old Alex- STAN WAWRINKA (SWITZERLAND) The 37-year-old has lost to her sister in two previous on closer inspection, Federer’s ATP Tour Finals in November with ander Zverev after his stellar 2017. World ranking: 9 Australian Open finals. Born: March 28, 1985 (Age 32) Grand slam titles: 3 (Australian Open 2014, French (DENMARK) Open 2015, US Open 2016) World ranking: 2 The 2014 Australian Open champion is coming off knee Born: July 11, 1990 (Age 27) Women’s singles an open surgery and was forced to withdraw from the Tiebreak Tens Grand slam titles: 0 exhibition event earlier this week with a shoulder injury. WTA match record in 2018 (won-lost): 4-1 Wawrinka, a three-times grand slam winner, made the Wozniacki is showing no signs of slowing down stage at Melbourne Park final four in Melbourne last year before losing to eventual since winning her 27th singles title at the ATP Finals champion Roger Federer in a five-set showdown. last October as the Dane charged to the Auckland REUTERS He became the oldest man to reach the Roland Garros Classic final, where she lost to Julia Goerges after a final last year at the age of 32 on the back of a few sublime tough match. The 27-year-old is yet to win a major MELBOURNE: Picking a women’s displays of attacking tennis but lost the final to Rafa Nadal in and will be keen to better her record at Melbourne singles champion at the Australian straight sets. Park, where she reached the semi-finals in 2011. Open could resemble a lucky dip this year with ’ GRIGOR DIMITROV (BULGARIA) (RUSSIA) continued absence again leaving World ranking: 3 World ranking: 47 the door ajar. Born: May 16, 1991 (Age 26) Born: April 19, 1987 (Age 30) Who will kick it open is a Grand slam titles: 0 Grand slam titles: 5 (Wimbledon 2004, French question that a legion of tennis The Bulgarian returns to Melbourne as one of the in- Open 2012, 2014, Australian Open 2008, US Open pundits find difficult to answer form players on tour, having enjoyed a pivotal moment in his 2006) with any degree of certainty. career when he lifted the ATP Finals trophy at the end of last WTA match record in 2018 (won-lost): 3-1 The American, who won the season. The resurgent Russian is among the few con- title last year in Melbourne despite The world number three started the new year with a tenders at Melbourne Park this year to have a major being in the early weeks of preg- semi-final appearance in Brisbane where he was beaten by title to her name. The 30-year-old returned from a eventual champion . nancy to take her grand slam tally World Number 1 doping ban last season and went on to win the Tianjin to 23, decided against trying to It remains to be seen if Dimitrov can improve on his run Simona Halep Open. Sharapova kicked off the current season with a defend her title, saying she was to the semi-finals in Melbourne last year as he continues to run to the semi-finals of the Shenzhen Open last week not yet fully up to speed. chase his maiden grand slam title. and is in prime position to get back to her ruthless best Whether or not she could have last year when she was ambushed back in Melbourne for the first and win her first grand slam since 2014. won a 24th slam, and her first as by the ferocious hitting of Latvian time since she failed a doping test () a mother and wife, is open to Jelena Ostapenko. for meldonium in 2016 and com- World ranking: 4 JELENA OSTAPENKO () question considering her lack of Spain’s powerhouse Garbine pleted a ban, is another with the Born: April 20, 1997 (age 20) Born: June 8, 1997 (Age 20) match practice, although if any Muguruza, who triumphed at experience and firepower to pre- Grand slam titles: 0 World ranking: 7 one could do it the 36-year-old Wimbledon last year to claim a vail and along with Angelique Zverev is just 20 but with victories over the “Big Four” Grand slam titles: 1 (French Open 2017) would be the one. second grand slam, is tipped as the Kerber is one of only two former and five titles on tour last season, a grand slam win seems a WTA match record in 2018 (won-lost): 0-2 She will be back on the trophy player most likely to assume the champions in the women’s draw. possible next step for the German wonderkid. French Open champion Ostapenko continued her hunt later this year but in the dominant role. Halep could face twice Wim- His top-10 breakthrough came in Rome, where he momentum after her shock win at Roland Garros, meantime the spotlight falls on Caroline Wozniacki, seeded bledon champion Petra Kvitova defeated Novak Djokovic in the final to become the youngest reaching the quarter-finals at Wimbledon and the third those hoping to try and establish two, will be fancying her chances in the third round and is in the Masters 1000 winner since Djokovic himself won in Miami round of the US Open for the first time. The 20-year- themselves as long-term succes- of a first grand slam title, while same half as Muguruza who may when 19. He also became the youngest qualifier at the season- old ended last season with two semi-final appearances sors to the greatest player the who would bet against Venus Wil- have to get past Sharapova in ending ATP Finals since the former US Open winner Juan Martin in Wuhan and Beijing and also qualified for the WTA women’s game has seen. liams flying the family flag at 37 round four. del Potro in 2008. finals. Despite her early exit in Shenzhen and Sydney, Simona Halep arrives as world years of age, although a first round In the bottom half, Wozniacki Zverev’s all-round game makes him a threat at Melbourne Ostapenko will be targeting another first as she aims number one but is yet to win a against Belinda Bencic is a tough will not be unduly worried by the next week but he will be tested in the latter stages of the tour- to reach the fourth round at Melbourne Park. grand slam title, having fallen ago- opening hurdle. first week, although Ostapenko nament due to his relative inexperience in best-of-five set tennis. nisingly short at the French Open Russian Maria Sharapova, could lurk in the quarters. 22 SPORT SATURDAY 13 JANUARY 2018 Du Plessis surprised by brown pitch

AFP

CENTURION, SOUTH AFRICA: South African captain Faf du Ples- sis was surprised to see brown This pitch will grass on the pitch that will be used again test us to for the second Test against India, starting at SuperSport Park today. play our best But there were no surprises cricket and that is for Indian captain Virat Kohli. “It looks a really lively pitch,” Kohli something we are said at his pre-Test press confer- looking forward ence yesterday. “We expected it and we to: Indian captain wanted it to be that way. Both Virat Kohli teams are into the contest and will have to play some good cricket.” Kohli made it clear he would Plessis’ home ground, he said the welcome another no-holds- pitch looked unusual. barred battle in conditions as “There is a thick layer of tough as they were in Cape Town, brown grass so it’s not something where South Africa won the first we’re used to seeing. For us at the Test by 72 runs. moment it’s unknown.” “We were pretty happy with Du Plessis said he expected the wicket and the way it played India to mount a strong in Cape Town, it gave us many challenge. opportunities to stay in the game,” “India at times were really said Kohli. good at Newlands. There were so “This pitch will again test us many ups and downs for both to play our best cricket and that teams. India were in the game for is something we are looking for- 90 percent of the time. I expect India’s national team captain Virat Kohli (left) and teammates Shikhar Dhawan (centre) and Wriddhiman Saha take part in a training ward to.” they will take a lot of positives session at Supersport Park cricket ground in Centurion, South Africa, yesterday. Du Plessis said he expected from the game and I expect pace and bounce but admitted he another huge performance from was not sure how the pitch would them.” needed to step up. Kohli said they well. We just need to apply our- worked pretty well,” said Du batsmen. He admitted that there play. Kohli said India’s bowlers had had gained from their experience selves better.” Plessis. “We have to decide would be some discussion about “It looks browner than I shown their ability in Cape Town. in Cape Town - and the mistakes South Africa have to make at whether we go with the same India’s opening batting combi- thought it would be,” he said. “We’re very happy with the they had made there. least one change following a balance of four seamers and a nation, which suggests that “What I got from the groundsman way the bowlers went about their “There is no need to panic as series-ending injury to Dale spinner or whether we go for Shikhar Dhawan’s place could was that it was burnt from the business. We believe we can get a batting unit, we have played Steyn. more of an all-rounder.” be in doubt after two poor dis- heat. Last week was very hot.” them out twice again.” well for a long time - and we have “The team we selected last Kohli was quizzed on pos- missals against short-pitched Although Centurion is Du But the Indian batsmen played well away from home as week was the right team and it sible changes among the deliveries last week. Messi double helps Barcelona reach King’s Cup quarters

AFP half-time. Messi grabbed the Dembele did have time to set Madrid laboured to a 2-2 draw opening two goals in the 13th up the fifth goal of the night with Numancia to progress to MADRID: Lionel Messi put on and 15th minutes, both fin- three minutes from the end the quarter-finals 5-2 on a masterclass in front of new ished with a sublime first when his corner was headed aggregate. recruit Philippe Coutinho as touch with his left foot, both home from close range by an In a much-changed side, Barcelona trounced Celta Vigo created by Jordi Alba. unmarked Ivan Rakitic. Lucas Vazquez scored both of 5-0 on Thursday to ease into Messi then returned the Earlier on Thursday, Real’s goals after the 11th and the Copa del Rey quarter-finals favour by setting up Alba to Espanyol overturned a 2-1 loss 59th minutes. 6-1 on aggregate. score past the hapless Sergio in the first leg to defeat But on both occasions, Coutinho, dressed in a Alvarez in the Celta goal Levante 2-0 with Leo their modest visitors fought black shirt dotted with white before Luis Suarez made it 4-0 Baptistao and Gerard Moreno back thanks to a brace from stars, was in the stands at the on the night after 30 minutes on target either side of Guillermo on the stroke of half- Camp Nou for the first time when the Uruguayan burst half-time. time and then after 82 since his 160 million-euro through the defence. Sevilla also progressed minutes. ($192m) move from The tie petered out in the with a 2-1 win at home to sec- Numancia ended the game Liverpool. second half but French inter- ond-tier Cadiz for a 4-1 with 10 men after captain Dani It didn’t take long for the national Ousmane Dembele aggregate. Calvo was red-carded in the Brazilian star to appreciate the showed why Barcelona paid Wissam Ben Yedder, after dying moments. playing riches on show on the 105 million euros for him last 31 minutes, and Joaquin Cor- Leganes, a modest club pitch. year when he dribbled past rea in the 54th minute, were from the Madrid suburbs, Level at 1-1 after the first three defenders from the half- on target for Vincenzo Montel- reached the quarter-finals for Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel leg, the three-time defending way line before being denied la’s team. the first time in their 89-year Messi celebrates scoring a goal on champions were 4-0 up by by a desperate tackle. On Wednesday, Real existence. Thursday night.

Buoyed by cup wins, Liverpool had no option but PSG resume title march to sell Coutinho, says Klopp REUTERS Coutinho’s sale, Klopp made as a manager and called on eve- AFP LIGUE I FIXTURES “I love Paris and I love PSG,” clear that Liverpool felt they had ryone to move on from Fixtures (all times GMT) said Pastore, whose arrival in LONDON: Liverpool fought no choice but to negotiate the Coutinho’s departure. PARIS: Neymar and Paris Saint- Today 2011 opened the floodgates to a “until the last second” to move. “There was no other “We lost plenty of players at Germain resume their relentless Rennes vs Marseille (1600), Caen vs Lille, Dijon host of talent that followed him convince Philippe Coutinho to option,” said Klopp at a news Dortmund. You always have to drive towards the French Ligue vs Metz, Montpellier vs Monaco, Nice vs Amiens, into the club. “Believe me I’ll stay at Anfield but ultimately conference ahead of the Premier react. It’s about the atmosphere 1 title after the traditional three- Troyes vs Bordeaux (all 1900) always be loyal to this club.” had no other option than sell League game against Manches- in the club. If we get a free kick week winter break at Sunday With next month’s heavy- him to Barcelona, Liverpool ter City on Sunday. on Sunday and anyone is think- fifth-placed Nantes this week- Saint-Etienne vs Toulouse (1400), Lyon vs An- weight Champions League date manager Juergen Klopp said “If someone is angry or dis- ing ‘Phil!’ that wouldn’t be too end. gers (1600), Nantes vs Paris Saint-Germain with Real Madrid looming yesterday. appointed it could be the cool,” he said.

PSG head to the Loire on the (2000) Emery’s side visit Nantes enjoy- After months of speculation, manager but I’m not. We tried Although Liverpool have back of a 6-1 rout of Ligue 1 ing a nine-point lead over the 25-year-old Brazilian joined everything to convince Phil to been linked with several high- rivals Rennes in the French Cup defending Ligue 1 title-holders the Spanish club for £140m in stay here. profile replacements for and a 2-0 midweek defeat of from his holiday with both play- Monaco and Lyon. what he described as his “dream “This was his dream. He Coutinho, Klopp gave little away Amiens to reach the League Cup ers talked to about their And given that Nantes move”. would only leave Liverpool for and straight-batted suggestions semi-finals. tardiness by coach Unai Emery. haven’t managed to better PSG The sale surprised many on one club. The club was fighting they are negotiating to bring in Neymar was on target in PSG captain Thiago Silva in Ligue 1 since 2005, the Merseyside, particularly after until the last second to keep Phil. Naby Keita from RB Leipzig both of those victories but the raised doubts about Pastore’s Qatari-backed visitors are on Liverpool fought so hard to keep It would have been difficult to ahead of his scheduled arrival league’s leading scorer Edinson future at the club when he said: target to add another three Coutinho in August when the say no and then use him in the in the close season. Cavani was absent after return- “I believe Pastore told the club points to the 50 they have owners made clear that the Reds second half of the season. Klopp stressed that if the club ing late from his Christmas and he wanted to leave but in the already banked. PSG are not should no longer be seen as “a “Phil, what a character, but do any business “we want right New Year break back home in end they couldn’t reach a deal.” playing until Sunday night selling club”. he still wanted to leave. We have before expensive”. “First of all we Uruguay. Pastore for his part strongly which gives Monaco the oppor- Yet that strident tone to make the best of it. We still have to replace (Coutinho) inter- Argentine Javier Pastore was denied in an interview with tunity to reduce that gap for 24 changed ahead of the latest have fantastic players here.” nally. We have our eyes open in also overlooked for Wednes- Yahoo Sports from Argentina at hours at least with victory at transfer window and, in his first Klopp stressed that he has this window but we won’t do day’s outing after returning late the weekend that he wanted out. Montpellier today. public comment since lost big-game players previously crazy things,” he said. SATURDAY 13 JANUARY 2018 SPORT 23 Ooredoo Doha Marathon: Kiptarus and Ramezani bag top honours THE PENINSULA

DOHA: Kenyan Chebii Collins Kiptarus and Rokhsareh Rame- zani of England won the Full Marathon at the Ooredoo Doha Marathon races in the men’s and women’s section respectively yesterday. In the men’s section, 27-year-old Kiptarus clocked a time of 2:16:22 while 29-year- old Ramezani, took 2:24:06 to cross the finish line in the 47kms event. In the Half Marathon (21k), is Kenyan Alex Kibet, 27 years – won the top prizes with a time: 1:01:53 while in the Female cat- egory, 31-year-old Allie Kiefer from the USA, clocked a time of time: 1:10:40 A record number of over 2,400 participants took part in the race which was kicked off by HE Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser Al Ali, Minister of Youth and Sports, along with H E Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Thani, the Chairman of Ooredoo. Athletes included multiple Olympic Gold Medallist Sir Mo Farah, winner of the Great Scot- tish Run in 2017 Chris Thompson, Germany’s marathon record holder Arne Gabius, Turkey’s two-time Olympian Bekir Kara- yel, Michael Shelley, the 2014 Commonwealth Games mara- thon champion, Gemma Steel, Fans take a selfie with Sir Mo Farah at the Ooredoo Doha Marathon European Cross-Country Cham- 2018 in Doha yesterday. Right: Children taking part in the special 1 pion, and more. KM fun run pose for a picture. Pictures: Kammutty VP / The Peninsula Over 2,400 runners took part in the event from 83 different nationalities. ‘Elite Category’ with a prize of sense of community more than The Marathon, which is fast $ 50,000, up for grabs. ever, which is why participants becoming an international event Speaking about the Ooredoo ran under the slogan ‘United favourite for runners of all ages Doha Marathon, Waleed Al- We Run’. I am delighted to and abilities, was set along Sayed, Chief Executive Officer, announce that it has been a big- Qatar’s beautiful Corniche and Ooredoo, said: “We’re delighted ger and better event than ever Doha skyline and offered the with this year’s Marathon turn- and has truly helped cement competitors the chance to win a out, which not just included Qatar as a first-class sporting range of different prizes based runners, but hundreds of spec- destination,” added Waleed Al on categories, age, and gender. tators cheering on their loved Sayed. As part of the company’s ones and our Elite Category run- This year’s marathon event vision to encourage more peo- ners. Congratulations to featured courses for runners of ple to get fit and active, everyone who competed and to all abilities - including a 10 KM Ooredoo, in partnership with our all the winners.” and 5 KM run, half-marathon, Qatar Tourism Authority, invited “This edition of the marathon full marathon, Elite Category a host of renowned international is a significant one for Qatar and and a special children’s 1 KM athletes to take part in a special we hoped to create a spirit and fun run. QSL: Sneijder makes debut as Al Gharafa edge past Al Ahli THE PENINSULA Al Ahli saw a chance go to waste with Al Sailiya gaining the most when Ali Qadri shot against the of the territorial advantage. DOHA: Al Gharafa registered a QNB STARS body of Burhan after being set Their closest chances came 2-1 victory over hosts Al Ahli LEAGUE up by Mohammed Muntari, on through Romanian midfielder while Al Sailiya grabbed a late loan from Al Duhail. Valentin Lazar whose shot from goal to secure a point against Al YESTERDAY’S RESULTS: Al Graham did not have to a tight angle was well saved by Arabi in 1-1 draw in the QNB Al Gharafa beat Al Ahli wait for long to be on level terms the goalkeeper, followed by Stars League Week 12 encoun- 2-1 when Alaeldin, a huge bundle of Wagner Ribeiro with a long- ters at Ahli stadium yesterday. Al Sailiya drew with talent and energy, placed the ball range effort. Ahmed Alaeldin (58th and Al Arabi 1-1 home after trapping it nicely off With the half drawing to 70th minutes) scored for Al a cross from Othman Al Yahri a close, it was the visitors Gharafa after Yassine Chikhaoui TODAY’S FIXTURES: from the right. who took the initiative as gave Al Ahli the lead in the 16th. 4.20pm: Al Rayyan vs Al An unmarked Alaeldin they surprised Al Arabi on The two-goal effort under- Khor at Al Sadd Stadium struck again 12 minutes later, the break. lined the sheer brilliance of 6.30pm: Al Sadd vs Al this time sending a first-time A long clearance upfield Alaeldin. Markhiya at Al Sadd shot off a cross from the right by was chased down by Ahmed Al Gharafa, under new coach Stadium captain Luis Jimenez. Abdulla who used his pace to Bulent Uygun, went on attack- 6.30pm: Qatar SC vs The following minutes saw run past Hamad Al Abidi on the ing mode right from the word Al Duhail at Qatar SC a marauding Cheetahs give left wing before breaking into go. They created chance after Stadium Yazan a tough time. But then Al the box and coolly slotting chance, with new recruit and Ahli too had their share of home. Dutch attacking midfielder Wes- chances even as the rivals con- Into the second half and ley Sneijder being at the centre tinued to enjoy more Khalfan Ibrahim nearly doubled of the moves. when unchallenged. possession. the advantage as he was inches But Al Ahli, also playing their Chikhaoui again wreaked As the match wore on, away from meeting a header first match under Spaniard havoc in the rival area off a Chikhaoui pulled the strings as from close range. George Jorje, went ahead against counter-attack only to see cap- Al Ahli did everything to earn an Al Sailiya started to play with the run of play when Tunisian tain Meshaal Abdullah equaliser, the closest being sub- more control as the game wore midfielder Chikhaoui volleyed answering his hard work with a stitute Majed Mohammed’s rising on and were rewarded through the ball home after a faulty feeble shot that was too easy for shot hitting the horizontal before Al Harazi. Valentin sent in a ball clearance following a free-kick Al Gharafa goalkeeper Qasim flying over. from the left-hand side of the from the left by Mohsin Hassan. Burhan to stop. In the second match at the box and Al Harazi slid in to poke That was Al Ahli’s first real Al Gharafa pressed hard and same venue,Al Arabi opened the the ball into the net. chance in the game. kept creating opportunities, scoring through Ahmed Abdulla Six minutes from time, Al Al Gharafa striker Abdulaziz while Al Ahli played a charging in the 45th minute, but his goal Harazi nearly scored again as he Hatem soon fumbled a couple game. Sneijder had a free-kick was cancelled out in the 76th by climbed highest to reach a Al Gharafa’s Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder (in yellow) is challenged of chances. First, he shot straight saved by Yazan at the stroke of Abdulrahman Al Harazi. header, but could not quite find by a Al Ahli player during the QNB Stars League match at the Al Ahli to goalkeeper Yazan Naim and half-time. After the winter break, the the target and the game ended Stadium in Doha yesterday. then hit the ball over the bar The second half started and game was slow to get into action, all square. SPORT Saturday 13 January 2018

PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 PAGE | 22 Federer Du Plessis Messi double helpsps still the man surprised by Barcelona reach to beat brown pitch King’s Cup quartersers Brilliant Afif seals Qatar’s second win

THE PENINSULA setback, Gao Zunhyi seeing his Qatar’s Akram Afif (right) scores the winning firm header cleared off the line goal againt Oman during the AFC U-23 CHANGZHOU: Ace midfielder by Doniyorjon Narzullaev, and Asian Cup Group A match played at the at Akram Afif yesterday produced Wei Shihao having a shot the Changzhou Sports Centre, Changzhou, a slick goal to power Qatar to smothered by Uzbekistan cus- China yesterday. their second successive win at todian Botirali Ergashev the AFC U-23 Asian Cup. following fine work down the Afif, the guiding force of right by Ba Dun shortly after the Qatar’s historic AFC U-19 Asian half hour mark. Cup triumph in 2014, managed In the last meaningful a right-footed strike from close action of an entertaining first range after a neat cross from half Ergashev then pulled off a striker Almoez Ali in the 43rd superb flying save to push away minute of the Group A match. Yao Junsheng’s headed attempt Stationed in the centre of from a pinpoint Liu Yiming the Oman box, Afif picked up a delivery. cross from Ali and then shot the China continued to press ball past goalkeeper Ibrahim Al after the break, as Yang Liyu Mukhaini in a quick-thinking blazed over the bar when well move late in the first half. Qatar placed, before substitute Tang Shi - coached by Felix Sanchez - headed Li Shuai’s sublime cross are now at the top of the group narrowly wide of the target with six points after two within six minutes of the restart. matches in the 16-team With Uzbekistan defending tournament. resolutely, China duly struggled On Tuesday, a spirited to find the goal they so desper- Qatar beat Uzbekistan with a ately needed, with Wei Shihao’s similar score at the Changzhou speculative effort from distance Sports Centre. one of the few highlights for In another Group A match Massimiliano Maddaloni’s yesterday, Uzbekistan stunned charges. hosts China 1-0 at the same As the clock ran down how- venue to throw open the points ever, Ergashev excelled yet race in Group A. again, this time gathering a Qatar, once the game fierce Tang drive and, much to Sanchez hails ‘spirited show’ kicked off, dominated proceed- the anguish of the home faith- ings with early attacks. In the ful, Wei thundered a shot 6th minute, Afif fired a little against the woodwork on a day THE PENINSULA and they have a (bright)ht) future, many times to find an equaliser, wide from the centre of the when Uzbekistan refused to we have to support them.”hem.” butbut Uzbekistan Omani box after an assist by relinquish their title hopes. CHANGZHOU: Qatar coach Al Azani added: “II thinkthink wewe reallreallyy did Abdullah Al Ahrak. Uzbekistan will look to seal Felix Sanchez (pictured) praised did well to restrict Qatar’star’s goal- llimitimit ourour In the 22nd minute, Oman’s a place in the last eight when the performance of his players, Oman pushed hard and scoring chances aandnd had goal-scor- Muhsen Al Ghassani aimed for they tackle Oman in the final saying they put up a spirited made it difficult for us opportunities of our ownown in the inging the left of the Qatari goal but round of group stage matches show to beat Oman 1-0 in their to control the ball at first half and then in thehe second chances.”chances.” his shot sailed past the cross- on Monday, while China are second AFC U-23 Asian Cup times, but we had our half when we changedd our for- bar following a cross from scheduled to face Qatar. match clash yesterday. mation and played wwithith two Jameel Al Yahmadi. Midfielder Akram Afif scored chances to score on the strikers.” Nine minutes later, Qatar Akram Afif scored the only goal of the match in the counter-attack: Qatar Earlier Uzbekistantan beat defender Bassam Al Rawi pro- 43rd minute as Qatar picked up coach Sanchez China 1-0 to post their first win. duced a snap-header from just before the first three points to go to the top Uzbekistan headd coaccoachh close range - after a cross from half whistle to power Group A at Changzhou Sports Ravshan Khaydarov saidid yesyes-- Ahmed Moen - but his deflec- Qatar to their second Centre. terday: “I am very happyappy tion is blocked by Oman successive win at the Yesterday, Uzbekistan good effort today. It was great with the performancee ooff goalkeeper. Two minutes from stunned China 1-0 in the other that we were able to get the full my players today. I thinkink the first-half whistle, Afif scored AFC U-23 Asian Cup. Group A clash. Qatar have six points,” he added. that (after losing thehe for Qatar - after a cross from Qatar - coached by points from two matches follow- “Oman pushed hard and opening game) we haveve Ali - to produce what was even- Felix Sanchez - are ing their 1-0 win over Uzbekistan made it difficult for us to control now improved the dif-- tually the only goal of the now at the top of the on Tuesday. the ball at times, but we had our ficult situation we hard-fought clash. “I am proud of my players as chances to score on the coun- found ourselves in.” Close to the hour-mark, group with six points they have played against two ter-attack,” Sanchez said Massimiliano Oman’s ace striker Al Ghassani after two matches strong teams, Uzbekistan and Hamad Al Azani, Oman’s Maddaloni, China’s produced a left-footed drive in the 16-team Oman so far and have performed head coach, said yesterday: “I head coach, said: “It from outside the Qatari box but tournament. well,” Sanchez said yesterday. am disappointed by the result. was a pity that we lost his shot sailed past the right “I think both teams made a A lot of my players are young, this match. We triedd goalpost. Oman’s Azan Al Tamtami charged into the Qatari box in the 69th minute but Qatar defenders blocked the AFC U23 CHAMPIONSHIP move with quick thinking. Group A Standings: In the 82nd minute, Qatar’s TEAM MATCHES WON LOST GF GA GD PTS Sultan Al Brake has his shot 1: QATAR 2 2 0 2 0 2 6 blocked from close range after 2: UZBEKISTAN 2 1 1 1 1 0 3 a cross by Hashim Ali. In injury 3: CHINA 2 1 1 3 1 2 3 time, Qatar nearly scored their 4: OMAN 2 0 2 0 4 -4 0 second goal when Meshaal Al Shammeri went a little wide with his shot from close range after an assist by Moein. Earlier, Uzbekistan, who made a raft of changes to their starting 11 in the wake of Tues- day’s defeat to Qatar, were the first to threaten on a chilly afternoon in Jiangsu province, Dostonbek Khamdamov whip- ping in a 10th minute free-kick that China goalkeeper Zhou Yuchen did well to gather at his near post. Their fine early endeavours were though to be rewarded just four minutes later when defender Khojiakbar Alijonov made the most of poor Chinese defending to fire a left footed shot across Zhou and into the far corner of the net. Qatar players celebrate after defeating Oman in their AFC U23 Group A match yesterday China responded well to the